At least 39 dead in South African floods
JOHANNESBURG. January 18. KAZINFORM Floods have killed or left missing at least 39 people in South Africa and destroyed thousands of homes in neighboring Mozambique, officials said on Monday. Heavy rains from late December and through most of January have led to floods in the two countries, with torrential downpours at the weekend again swelling rivers; Kazinform refers to Arab News.
South Africa's Cooperative Governance Ministry estimated at least 32 have been killed while police said on Monday another seven went missing in Centurion, near Pretoria, after they were swept away by high waters.
The army has been placed on stand-by to evacuate people from areas near major dams.
"All disaster management structures in the country have been put on high alert," the cooperative governance ministry said.
South African logistics group Transnet said last week heavy rains had disrupted its freight rail operations, affecting coal and maize exports; Kazinform cites Arab News.
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